Oxfam response to the re-opening of Sana’a airport for the first commercial flights since 2016

In response to the re-opening of Sana’a airport for the first commercial flights since 2016, Ferran Puig, Oxfam in Yemen country director said:

“The re-opening of Sana’a airport is a positive step that restores hope for an end to the suffering of millions of Yemenis after seven harrowing years of conflict. Regular flights will enable people to get much needed medical help. The re-opening also paves the way to extending the current truce beyond the end of May deadline.

“Oxfam welcomes the commitment of all parties to the conflict in maintaining the truce and ensuring the re-opening of the airport. The opportunity should now be seized to create a comprehensive process to bring lasting peace to Yemen and to end the humanitarian crisis.

“It is crucial that negotiations now start to reopen the roads to Taiz to ease the suffering of civilians in the city.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

According to the Sana’a-based office of the Ministry of Health, more than 320,000 medical cases were unable to travel for treatment due to the closure of the airport, while more than 28,000 cancer patients died due to the lack of necessary medical supplies.